Shh!

Maanav Varma

Humans are LOUD. We make a lot of noise. Social events like concerts, transportation methods like airplanes, and daily household items like vacuum cleaners all contribute to noise. When people regularly expose themselves to loud sounds, they are susceptible to health problems like elevated heart rates. This is defined as noise pollution. However, noise pollution does not just cause problems for humans. It also causes issues for other organisms. For this reason, we need to be more careful about the loud sounds we make because it not only affects ourselves but it also affects the environment around us.

Animals are having to change their behavior patterns to adapt to noise made by humans. Several species of birds are changing their flight patterns and mating techniques because of excessive human noise levels. Great Tits, or Parus Major, have to change their mating calls to be heard over human ruckus. Male Great Tits have to call at higher frequencies because they cannot be heard at lower frequencies. However, Female Great Tits find higher frequency calls unattractive, which then leads to less mating. Scrub Jays, birds found in Western United States, are also seeking quieter areas to avoid human-made noise and human contact. Scrub Jays are an important aspect of the Pinyon Pine Ecosystem. However, because of logging and industrial activity, the Jays are leaving the ecosystem, and the ecosystem is beginning to deteriorate.



Terrestrial animals are not the only ones being affected by noise caused by humans. Marine life is being disrupted as well. Dolphins use echolocation to know their surroundings. They do this by making high-frequency clicks, which then bounces off of their surroundings and lets the dolphins hear. With more and more oil drilling, ship traffic, and other industrial noises, dolphins are having a hard time using echolocation. The human activity is messing up the dolphins' ability to hear. Whales are also affected by human-made noise. Loud sonar blasts used by the Navy causes whales to get stranded on beaches. They then "bleed around the ears, brain and other tissues."



It's pretty sad in my opinion how our carelessness affects other organisms. Some ways we can reduce noise pollution is by turning off household items such as the TV, or by lowering the volume of music on our headphones. We can also plant trees. Trees naturally absorb noise. In fact, they reduce noise by up to 10 decibels. What are your thoughts on human carelessness towards the natural environment around us? Are there any other ways we can reduce noise intensity so that it does not affect the environment tremendously? How can we be more sensitive to the environment around us?

https://www.environmentalpollutioncenters.org/noise-pollution/
https://www.science.org.au/curious/earth-environment/noise-pollution-and-environment
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/noise-pollution/
https://eschooltoday.com/pollution/noise-pollution/sources-of-noise-pollution.html
https://www.ppsthane.com/blog/how-to-reduce-noise-pollution

The Environmental Impact of Cosmetic Products

Amaya Shenoy

Personally, I’m a huge fan of the usage of cosmetic products, whether it be skincare products or shampoo. While I’m searching for my products, I always tend to lean towards brands that market their products as being “natural” as a way to make myself feel like I’m making a healthy choice by not using so many chemicals. However, despite a company’s claims that their products are eco-friendly, the terms that cosmetic companies use to label their products are relatively unregulated, leading their consumers to be misinformed as to how sustainable the products they’re buying really are.

When beauty companies claim that their products are “natural” in reality, this likely means that they have a few natural ingredients in their products. Some of these products include chemicals for the purpose of preservation or to help the product lather. However, once these chemical-ridden products are washed off, they’re sent into the drain where they have to potential of contaminating lakes and streams, which can damage the flora and fauna of the ecosystem. 

In addition, some products have plastic microbeads in them marketed towards “exfoliation.” While the microbeads in beauty products could help with exfoliating the skin, they take a long time to degrade. Once these microbeads end up in bodies of water, organisms are at a risk of consuming them, which could hurt them. Luckily, a few countries have banned the inclusion of plastic microbeads in beauty products, which helps decrease the amount of plastic disposed of in bodies of water and landfills.

The packaging of cosmetic products is also a cause of concern. Cosmetic product bottles must be designed in a way that would prevent the contents of the bottle from degrading the packaging. This means that the materials used in the packaging are not easily degradable or recyclable after use, which contributes to the amount of waste in landfills.

Although the cosmetic industry can be environmentally taxing, there are ways to be more environmentally efficient while picking ou products. For one, you can do more research about the products that we buy and the ingredients that are used in the products. Not only can you avoid products that contain harmful chemicals and microbeads, but you can also make sure that you are buying products that are suited for yourself, which would prevent you from throwing away as many products. You can also use products that use less packaging which would lead to less waste in landfills.

 

Although the cosmetic industry can be environmentally taxing, there are ways to be more environmentally efficient while picking ou products. For one, you can do more research about the products that we buy and the ingredients that are used in the products. Not only can you avoid products that contain harmful chemicals and microbeads, but you can also make sure that you are buying products that are suited for yourself, which would prevent you from throwing away as many products. You can also use products that use less packaging which would lead to less waste in landfills.

Sources:

https://www.hps-pigging.com/sustainability-challenges-facing-the-cosmetics-and-personal-care-industry/

https://www.florandcesta.com/flor-and-cesta/earth-day-2018-the-environmental-impact-of-the-cosmetics-industry

https://www.adorncosmetics.com.au/blog/post/environmental-impact/

https://intothegloss.com/2015/12/microbeads-in-beauty-products/

https://www.thestar.com/life/homes/2012/03/15/what_to_do_with_leftover_lotions.html